The Best of Wes Craven

01 September 2015

The Best of Wes Craven

The master of horror has died - Wes Craven died yesterday at 76 years of age. He died of brain cancer in Los Angeles. Craven’s influence on the horror genre is seismic. He made over 29 movies with 36 writing credits- his franchise of Scream and Freddy Krueger haunt generations of film goers and horror fans. He is in itself a genre. To celebrate his life and contribution to film we pay homage by looking back at his most influential movies.

The Last House on The Left

Craven's first film that broke him into the horror genre as a master. The 1972 film was remade in 2010 but it is the original that will leave you with chills.The story see's a pair of teenage girls are headed to a rock concert for one's birthday. While trying to score marijuana in the city, the girls are kidnapped by a gang of psychotic convicts. It is a film that lingers and is reminiscent of Ingmar Bergman.

Swamp Thing

Swamp Thing was made in 1982, the premise see's a research scientist turned into a swamp plant monster after a violent incident with a special chemical. An adaptation of the comic book, the film is a vivid take on the notion of a monster living inside us all.

A Nightmare on Elm Street

In 1984 Craven made this seminal film that is classic for its ability to sear into the teen psyche but also for it's long standing popularity. It is a sleep over staple for teenage girls but also it has become an a prime outward articulation of abstract fears of human existence. Once sleep is invaded we have no escape. Freddie Krueger is the stuff of nightmares and Halloween costumes galore. The slasher film was born here and developed with Craven in the years to come.

The Scream Franchise

The ultimate slasher films was born, the scream franchise tapped into 90s culture and explore the idea of a killer among us. It is still as relevant today as it was over fifteen years ago. The film set in the midst of teen drama, alongside the horror of a random killing seems to have burrowed deep into our culture. It was been reprised by MTV as a drama series.

My Soul to Take

More teen horror, A serial killer returns to his hometown to stalk seven children who share the same birthday as the date he was allegedly put to rest. Craven used the angst of teens to set so many of his films. It allows for the coming of age story to be turned upside down.